Original Galaxy Tab 10.1 is still banned, but court rules it's not infringing Apple's design -- sort of

Apple, Inc. (AAPL) has been dealt the latest in a series of mounting losses in its legal campaign to stifle top tablet and smartphone competitor Samsung Electronics, Comp., Ltd. (KS:005930). International courts are increasingly becoming frustrated at what some claim amounts to be anticompetitive legal "trolling" by both companies, who have flooded international courts with a deluge of lawsuits.

I. Apple's Design Claims -- Going Nowhere Fast

Apple, who initiated the patent spat, has made some controversial claims. Its lawyers argued that all modern tablets are in infringement of Apple's patented design, stating, "Samsung says Galaxy Tab 10.1, we say any tablet device."

Unfortunately for them, that claim is being tossed out of court. In Australia, the U.S., and the Netherlands, Apple has already been dealt effective losses in key rulings, after courts rebuffed its request to be granted a design-patent based exclusive monopoly on "minimalist" designs.

Samsung redesigned its Galaxy Tab 10.1 to make the 10.1N, a German specific variant that looks to avoid looking anything like the iPad. [Image Source: GSM Android]

That left only Germany where a judge granted Apple a victory on a design basis, with Mannheim court Presiding Judge Johanna Brueckner-Hofmann writing, "The court is of the opinion that Apple’s minimalistic design isn’t the only technical solution to make a tablet computer, other designs are possible. For the informed customer there remains the predominant overall impression that the device looks."

As in a technology patent based dispute in Australia, the Brueckner-Hofmann ruling was appealed by Samsung and overturned by a higher court. The Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court (an appeals court) ruled that the lower court erred in banning the standard international Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 on a design basis.

The court writes, "The scope of Apple's design is limited. A rimless flat [tablet] patent was already requested in an old U.S. patent application, the so-called "Ozolins design". Incidentally, the distinction "Galaxy Tab 10.1" [is] sufficiently clear from the declared design of Apple. Thus, the [Apple] design patent covers two aesthetically perceptible[ly] parts, a shell and a front panel covering it. The "Galaxy Tab 10.1" by contrast, was constructed in three parts, it consists of a front, a back and a verklammernden (clinging) frame."

The court, however, did ban both the Galaxy 10.1 (original) and its diminutive twin, the Galaxy Tab 8.9 on grounds that Samsung violated Germany's "unfair competition" laws.

It seems like bizarro day as the court essentially contradicts itself, stating, "The distribution of the "Galaxy Tab 10.1" [runs] contrary to the law against unfair competition, because the Samsung model unfairly imitates (§ 4 No. 9 b) the Apple Tablet "iPad" [hence violating] the law against unfair competition. Samsung use [of] the outstanding reputation and prestige of the "iPad" [is] unfair."

The ruling is very nebulous and arbitrary to say the least, as it does not exactly specify how Samsung is "unfairly" using Apple's "prestige", particularly considering that it already conceded that the iPad and Galaxy Tab designs are quite different in looks.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1N is a special design exclusive to the German market. It contains additional visual flares to differentiate it further from the iPad. Unsurprisingly, Apple was not satisfied with Samsung's efforts. It sued trying to block sales, but saw its request for a preliminary injunction refused by a lower court last year. It then tried to appeal the PI rejection to the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court.

Apple has lost another round at the Düsseldorf Higher Regional [appeals] Court in Germany.
[Image Source: All About Samsung]

But the higher court sided with the previously ruling, commenting that the extra design changes, on top of the Tab's already distinctive design, were cumulatively enough to work around both the European patent laws, and the stricter "prestige" based local German competition laws.

The court writes [translated]:

The chamber concluded after a summary of fast-tracked tests that the design of the "Galaxy Tab 10.1 N" has now changed sufficiently to differentiate [Samsung's] product from the design rights granted in Apple's European filing, which shows the design of a Tablet PC. Consequently, it does not fall within this protection area, and there is no infringement. Due to the pre-design changes made by Samsung the "Galaxy Tab 10.1 N " is [also] not in violation of [the] competition law.

In a way, in pushing for a fast-tracked preliminary injunction and then appealing to the higher court when it didn't get it, Apple's lawyers may have scuttled their own ship. Now that the higher court has ruled that the Galaxy Tab 10.1N does not infringe, it is far less likely that the lower Mannheim court would rule it to be in infringement.

This is a major victory for Samsung, as it means that it can continue to sell in Europe's third largest tablet market (behind France and the UK).

Of course, these rulings all concerned Apple's request to receive a preliminary injunction. While the rulings indicate Apple is less likely to receive any injunction on the Tab 10.1N, it is possible that it could still score such a win when the final ruling is made. Regardless of the outcome, that ruling will likely be appealed by whoever loses, so it will still be some time before this particular branch of the lawsuit war comes to its conclusion.

IV. A Long War Ahead

You can't say Apple isn't trying hard -- it's also targeting ten Samsung smartphones and five Samsung tablets (including the Galaxy Tab 10.1N), using four design right claims -- 000748280-0006 and 000888920-0018 [PDF]. Samsung is looking to directly attack the validity of these design claims, filing to have them removed from the EU design patent base [source]. It filed the invalidity claim in Aug. 2011.

Motorola -- whose acquisition by Android phonemaker Google Inc. (GOOG) will be approved or rejected next week -- is also being sued by Apple with regards to the Xoom tablet. Apple has also tried to bully HTC Corp. (TPE:2498) with a series of international filings. Its biggest success thus far has been to ban some older model HTC smartphones in the U.S. -- but that ruling will not go into affect until April, giving HTC time to potentially redesign and avoid it.

The Android phonemakers have been actively countersuing Apple. Motorola has -- so far -- seen the biggest success, scoring a temporary online sales ban on the iPad in Germany, as well as a still-standing ban on the iCloud. Samsung's claims have been far less successful, though it continues to employ a "carpet bombing" legal approach akin to Apple's [1][2][3].

In tablets, Apple is much farther ahead in sales, although Samsung's Galaxy line still leads non-iPad tablets in sales. The iPad 2 sold roughly 40 million units in 2011 [1][2][3][4], Samsung moved about several million Galaxy Tabs for the year, reaching shipments to retailers of 2 million in Q4 [source].

V. Judge for Yourself

While it's nice to see Germany finally coming around to common sense with the Galaxy Tab 10.1N ruling, the "unfair competition"-based ruling on the original design is still controversial.

This is nothing new, some designers take "inspiration" from existing products, some seek to "improve" upon their design, and others just want theirs to look close enough to an existing popular product, so customers instantly associate the new item with the existing popular product.

Most people who would see you using that Galaxy tab on a bus or in a library somewhere - without seeing that Samsung logo - would probably say "Oh hey that's one of those iPad things!". It looks near enough to be confused, weather that's grounds for a lawsuit is a whole other story. But Apple hardly wants their products to be confused with any other brand and that is probably where all this frustration comes from.

What's stopping Samsung from making yellow, red, and blue colored Galaxy Tabs? How boring is Apple's black and white color choices? Asus has been able to make very distinct tablets, not just in style but also function. But Samsung insists in keeping theirs looking as close as they can get away with being to Apple's design...you have to wonder why.

quote: Most people who would see you using that Galaxy tab on a bus or in a library somewhere - without seeing that Samsung logo

True, but Apple own upwards of around 75 percent of tablet sales. When people see a smartphone they don't automatically assume it's an iPhone, but when they see a tablet, they indeed WILL often think it's an iPad.

But should Apple be granted a greater monopoly, just because its current dominant position makes it synonymous with this sector?

To give a counterexample, most people I know when they see a CPU think Intel made it... even if its an AMD chip. Should AMD be banned from making chips?

What difference would that make? Their device is already black on the back, where Apple's is silver... clearly Apple will sue no matter what color it is.

quote: Asus has been able to make very distinct tablets, not just in style but also function. But Samsung insists in keeping theirs looking as close as they can get away with being to Apple's design...you have to wonder why.

If you can't tell the difference between an Apple tablet and an Android tablet, should you be spending $500 on a tablet?

And how exactly do you think Asus's tablets are so radically different, when their peripheral keyboard is detached?

quote: True, but Apple own upwards of around 75 percent of tablet sales. When people see a smartphone they don't automatically assume it's an iPhone, but when they see a tablet, they indeed WILL often think it's an iPad.

The Samsung lawyer couldn't even tell them apart, despite knowing that one was not an iPad. The confusion isn't because they are both tablets and iPad is far superior so has achieved far higher sales. The confusion is because Samsungs design so blatantly tried to duplicate the iPad. The pathetic little minor differences which your article points out are not even close to changing the fact that the overall appearance is not even distinguishable by a Samsung lawyer.

quote: To give a counterexample, most people I know when they see a CPU think Intel made it... even if its an AMD chip. Should AMD be banned from making chips?

This isn't a counter example, it's a ludicrous claim. Apple and Samsung distinguish themselves on their DESIGNS, making products which attempt to look good. Processors do not, at all, since they are pretty much NEVER on display - so this argument is completely ridiculous.

quote: What difference would that make? Their device is already black on the back, where Apple's is silver... clearly Apple will sue no matter what color it is.

The evidence for which being.... oh that's right, there isn't any. Completely unsubstantiated allegations from Jason Mick, surely not!! Let me remind you, the court STILL agrees with Apple that Samsung ripped off the iPad. The fact that Samsung had to go away and redesign it is testament to that. Your sensationalist article is nothing new.

quote: If you can't tell the difference between an Apple tablet and an Android tablet, should you be spending $500 on a tablet?

I guess that rules out the Samsung lawyers then? And please, it's not about not being able to tell the difference, that isn't enough. I can rip off a BMW down to every last detail, and then write 'JASON MICK IS BIASED' all over it - it's easy to tell which is which but it's still a blatant rip off.

quote: And how exactly do you think Asus's tablets are so radically different, when their peripheral keyboard is detached?

It's different because it looks different. You know, not being a complete rip off, right down to the packaging, plugs, connections? Maybe Asus lawyers could actually tell it apart? Shocking I know...

What's even more shocking is how you're so desperate to defend such blatant copying (in the eyes of the law, too) - when it's the customer who suffers when companies don't add any of their own designs into a product. Samsung trying to ban Apple devices by refusing them FRAND patents is just about as low as any manufacturer could go on the moral meter - yet it gets nothing but a passing mention from you.

Honestly - nobody can take you seriously because you are dripping bias, and it discredits this whole site.

quote: The Samsung lawyer couldn't even tell them apart, despite knowing that one was not an iPad. The confusion isn't because they are both tablets and iPad is far superior so has achieved far higher sales. The confusion is because Samsungs design so blatantly tried to duplicate the iPad. The pathetic little minor differences which your article points out are not even close to changing the fact that the overall appearance is not even distinguishable by a Samsung lawyer.

The tablet is a personal computer (of sorts). It's form factor is obviously dictated to an extent by function.

What is a touch-driven tablet going to look like other than a big touch screen with a bezel?

In your mind what would a sufficiently"different" tablet look like?

quote: This isn't a counter example, it's a ludicrous claim. Apple and Samsung distinguish themselves on their DESIGNS, making products which attempt to look good. Processors do not, at all, since they are pretty much NEVER on display - so this argument is completely ridiculous.

Again with tablets people have no point of comparison... that is my point.

Yes, looks do sell, but in this case you're offering up a non sequitir, in that the "similarity" is perceived due to Apple's dominant position.

quote: It's different because it looks different. You know, not being a complete rip off, right down to the packaging,... Maybe Asus lawyers could actually tell it apart? Shocking I know...

Have you even SEEN the device you're writing about?

What exactly about the packaging of the keyboardless tablet is so different??

Wow... looks really different. Glad an expert has set the record straight.

quote: This isn't a counter example, it's a ludicrous claim. Apple and Samsung distinguish themselves on their DESIGNS, making products which attempt to look good. Processors do not, at all, since they are pretty much NEVER on display - so this argument is completely ridiculous.

The overall design differences between any two touch-screen devices of a given size are minimal. The most striking visual element is the touchscreen itself. Apple does not make or design its own touch screens -- it buys them from LG. The rest is just putting a plastic/metal wrapper around the internals.

quote: I guess that rules out the Samsung lawyers then? And please, it's not about not being able to tell the difference, that isn't enough.

You clearly are poorly informed.

The incident you are referring to occurred when a Samsung tablet was held up over 10 feet from a Samsung lawyer... I would have trouble tell most laptops apart from that distance...

It was just a meaningless court antic a la "if the glove doesn't fit, you must acquit!"

Your insistence clinging to it is quite sad.

quote: I can rip off a BMW down to every last detail, and then write 'JASON MICK IS BIASED' all over it - it's easy to tell which is which but it's still a blatant rip off.

Nice, oddly random obtuse personal attack. I give you points for trying your best to avoid discussing the facts at hand.

quote: What's even more shocking is how you're so desperate to defend such blatant copying (in the eyes of the law, too) - when it's the customer who suffers when companies don't add any of their own designs into a product. Samsung trying to ban Apple devices by refusing them FRAND patents is just about as low as any manufacturer could go on the moral meter - yet it gets nothing but a passing mention from you.

Given your poor defense of your viewpoint, it bears little surprise that you are uninformed on this topic as well. If you actually had read and understood the numerous pieces I have written on this topic, I think it's pretty clear that I point out that Samsung's lawsuits are also quite disruptive to the market.

Do they really look that different? Hint - of course they do. Proving that functionality does NOT dictate form.

Furthermore, it is NOT, repeat NOT form which was the reason the Galaxy got banned, if by form you simply mean the shape. There are thousands of tablets which have a similar shape but they were different enough to clearly be distinguished. It was the combination of a whole host of factors which were identically copied (or to the point which could not be distinguished) with made the JUDGE agree with me that they were not significantly different. And by the way, the two pictures you posted are VERY easy to distinguish. I'm sure their lawyers would be able to tell them apart.

quote: In your mind what would a sufficiently"different" tablet look like?

How about looking at *EVERY* other tablet which wasn't successfully banned? You know, something with any ounce of originality?

quote: Again with tablets people have no point of comparison... that is my point.

So the Samsung lawyer had no point of comparison for the iPad?

quote: in this case you're offering up a non sequitir, in that the "similarity" is perceived due to Apple's dominant position.

The only 'non sequitir' comment was your ludicrous CPU comparison in the first place. The similarity to the iPad which makes the original Galaxy illegal is not due to any false 'perception' which you claim exists. The courts don't have that false perception, clearly aware of the 2 different tablets being discussed, and the case did not rest on what the general public could distinguish - but rather on what was objectively copied and could not be distinguished. If you say that any tablet looks like an iPad to the end user, and that that is the reason the Galaxy was banned, then by your logic the court will ban every tablet. Guess what, they wont - and the reason they wont is that their tablet have at least some semblance of their own designs. Furthermore, the CPU comparison falls flat because the only reason the 'dominant' position (of Intel) leads to some people assuming any processor is an Intel (which doesn't matter legally anyway) is because they are not given any opportunity given their role to visibly distinguish themselves. Intel could make their processors purple if they wanted, it wouldn't change it. If Samsung came up with a proper design they COULD product a tablet which was not a direct copy. And by the way, since looks are a selling point in tablets and not in processors, the actual equivalent would be if the architecture of the AMD and Intel CPU's were indistinguishable.

quote: What exactly about the packaging of the keyboardless tablet is so different??

Are you saying you can't tell the difference? By the way, you failed to understand what 'packaging' means, look at the link which TakenYourPoints has linked a few times showing how identical so many parts of the Galaxy Tab are to the iPad. Look at the back of the Asus, for example - completely different. Now look here, not the style of the rim, for one example:http://tftscdn.nexus404.com/Blog/wp-content/upload...Both identical - not so on the Asus.

You also try to remove the most relevant point. The Asus has a unique and innovative design in that it can dock to a keyboard, making it arguably distinguishable. Finally, who's to say Asus didn't breach the iPad 2 copyright too, and that Apple wont go after them next? Just because 2 companies do something illegal doesn't make it not illegal. It's good that you now admit you can't tell the difference though.

quote: The overall design differences between any two touch-screen devices of a given size are minimal. The most striking visual element is the touchscreen itself. Apple does not make or design its own touch screens -- it buys them from LG. The rest is just putting a plastic/metal wrapper around the internals.

Riiiiight ok Jason - now people don't care about design. They could wrap sheep skin around the iPad 2 and it would sell just as many? You pick the one part which has nothing to do with the copyright (the screen) and then point out that Apple doesn't manufacturer it.... like that has any relevance, whatsoever? Hint - it doesn't. The screen was never the issue or subject of any of the legal cases, it's, as ever, just a pathetic way for you to try and discredit Apple by writing irrelevant drivel. Guess what, the consumer doesn't care whether the screen was manufactured by Apple or by Cheese Inc Ltd - as long as it works. As for 'putting a plastic/metal wrapper around the internals' - please, that's such a pathetic statement when it's probably the single most important element to any tablet, and incorporates far more technology and design than your primitive sentence suggests.

quote: You clearly are poorly informed. The incident you are referring to occurred when a Samsung tablet was held up over 10 feet from a Samsung lawyer... I would have trouble tell most laptops apart from that distance... It was just a meaningless court antic a la "if the glove doesn't fit, you must acquit!" Your insistence clinging to it is quite sad.

This is the most pathetic response, ever. 10 feet? So less than the typical distance people sit away from their TV - the same people who appreciate and can see the difference HD makes from that distance. If you would have trouble telling laptops apart from 3 metres - I would suggest you're either a) Blind, or need glasses, b) Not qualified to represent that laptop maker in a court of law in a copyright infringement case (where your job is to highlight how it's different) or c) That the laptops are too similar. Fortunately, the court agrees with me. But obviously the court are 'poorly informed' too - since they don't agree with your inexplicably sad hatred for Apple and the bias drivel you excrete as a result.

If you were properly informed, by the way, you would know that '"if the glove doesn't fit, you must acquit!"' can easily be distinguished because he was (theoretically) able to change the size of his hands through medicine. Are you suggesting that Apple got the Galaxy Tab to stop taking pills so that it would look identical to the iPad just for that question? Typical misuse and misunderstanding of legal precedents. But of course, that's why you're just a blogger - and not a very good one.

quote: quote: I can rip off a BMW down to every last detail, and then write 'JASON MICK IS BIASED' all over it - it's easy to tell which is which but it's still a blatant rip off. Nice, oddly random obtuse personal attack. I give you points for trying your best to avoid discussing the facts at hand.

Did you really not understand the relevance? Your argument was that if it's easy to tell something apart, it's not a copy. I proved, by counter example, that being able to tell something apart doesn't necessarily mean that copyright hasn't been infringed upon. Perfectly relevant, perfectly logical - to anyone who has a basic grasp of logic.

quote: If you actually had read and understood the numerous pieces I have written on this topic, I think it's pretty clear that I point out that Samsung's lawsuits are also quite disruptive to the market.

As I stated quite clearly, the 'passing mentions' you give Samsung's lawsuits and the pathetic excuses 'retaliatory' you constantly provide for Samsung mean that you absolutely understate just how bad what they tried to do is. Trying to ban devices based on FRAND patents is far, far worse, than trying to ban devices based on the fact that they are blatant rip-offs, yet even your mentions of those far more disruptive Samsung cases rant on about how Apple 'started it' and ends up talking more about those cases. As I said, you're bias is completely transparent.

quote: You clearly are a big expert on bias, no? But I suppose I have no right to write a public analysis. I had no idea you had passed a law prohibiting my free speech and freedom of the press... I'll know better next time, surely. Pass the koolaid, while you're at it, I'm kinda thirsty from all this typing.

Did I say you had no right to post biased garbage on a public blog? Try no. Did I say it was biased garbage? Try yes. Learn the difference and learn why free speech is irrelevant as to whether you're a biased drivelling idiot or not.

Aside from both being cars, that Audi and the Smart car don't fit the niche, their functions are different. The smart car is meant for personal conveyance usually in crowded city driving. The Audi, while it can drive in the city, is made mostly for conveying a family around longer distances, yes they both can do each but one is made to be better in certain things then the other. Just like you wouldn't use a Ferrari to haul a trailer you really wouldn't use a Mack truck on a race track. See even in cars form follows function and the function of a hand held, large touchscreen device used as a media consumption device rectangular with boarders is the basic setup, you can't make it round or triangular.

quote: The smart car is meant for personal conveyance usually in crowded city driving. The Audi, while it can drive in the city, is made mostly for conveying a family around longer distances, yes they both can do each

You answer your own comment. They can both do each. If they can 'do' it - it's a function of theirs. They both have the same function - yet their forms are different. Just like the laptops Jason linked, one may be faster, one may last longer - but their FUNCTION is the same, one just does that same function slightly better than the other.

Your Ferrari example is flawed, as is your Mack truck. The Ferrari is designed for speed and is marketed for that. A truck slows it down. Similarly, a Mack truck isn't designed for speed, so wouldn't make sense to race. They aren't the intended functions of either. Driving in a city, and driving more than 2 people around, however, ARE both functions of the two cars I linked. I picked them for a reason, talking about Ferraris is obviously different and that's why I didn't select them. Take any two sports cars if you really want, their form wont look the same. Clearly then, in cars as in anything, function doesn't dictate form.

The Galaxy Tab was not found to be a copy of the iPad because of it being 'rectangular' or 'large'. 'borders' are NOT a requirement driven by the function, they are a design option - and again they were not the ONLY reason the Galaxy Tab got banned. To say 'you can't make it round or triangular' when the case did not focus at all on the fact that the tablet was rectangular, is clearly irrelevant.

To use your Ferrari analogy, it's like Honda copying the latest Ferrari so closely that a Ferrari lawyer couldn't tell which one was which from 3m away. It isn't infringing because it has 4 wheels. It isn't infringing because it has a rear mounted engine. It's infringing because it wasn't ORIGINAL.

LOL tester you are the WORST troll. I actually rather read Tony's posts. At least he still tries and hasn't devolved into angry ranting.

Samsung didn't "redesign" anything. They made completely superficial changes that nobody in their right mind would care about but Apple and these morons in Germany. A tablets "styling" is a result of function and internal components, not design.

Some idiot the other day, probably you, accused everyone of copying Apple by "making things thinner". This perfectly illustrates how moronic you people are. The thickness of a pad, or phone, is a reflection of it's internal parts. Why should people make things THICKER when the internal components don't require a thick form factor? It's NOT styling, it's functional. Things weren't thin before because the components necessary to make them thin weren't being mass produced. Or in most cases not even in existence.

Are LCD TV's made so the back comes out two feet deep like old CRT sets? No. Of course not. Can you guess why?

quote: It's different because it looks different. You know, not being a complete rip off

Really? I'm amazed you hammer Samsung so hard while saying this about Asus. They're quite similar in almost every aspect.

It's the same black bezel with rounded corners and a screen in the middle. The thickness from the screen edge to the bezel even looks the same. The only difference is the aspect ratio is different, JUST like the Samsung, and there's no bottom center button. Cause, you know, that's such a crucial component and all about style. Not at all because it's the most logical place to PUT that button /sarcasm.

Now please tell me how exactly is this radically different than Samsung's approach? By Appletard logic, Asus ripped off Apple as well.

Again these tablet designs are a result of components and function, not styling. People don't make thick round form factors for tablets because there's no REASON to.

quote: LOL tester you are the WORST troll. I actually rather read Tony's posts. At least he still tries and hasn't devolved into angry ranting.

I'm glad that you don't devolve into angry ranting... /LOL.

quote: Samsung didn't "redesign" anything. They made completely superficial changes that nobody in their right mind would care about but Apple and these morons in Germany. A tablets "styling" is a result of function and internal components, not design.

Right, OK. The Samsung didn't redesign the Galaxy Tab to work around the legal case. They didn't because Reclaimer says that nobody cares about them.....

Don't mistake appearance and function. Styling is what it looks like, internal components are what it does. They are not the same thing.

No, it wasn't me, and thus you're whole rant about thickness of devices is irrelevant. When you have to try and argue with something I didn't even say to have a point, that's when you should stop.

quote: Really? I'm amazed you hammer Samsung so hard while saying this about Asus. They're quite similar in almost every aspect.

Is it not possible for 2 companies to infringe copyright? I'm simply sticking to the companies relevant to this article, something you're lacking.

quote: It's the same black bezel with rounded corners and a screen in the middle. The thickness from the screen edge to the bezel even looks the same. The only difference is the aspect ratio is different, JUST like the Samsung, and there's no bottom center button. Cause, you know, that's such a crucial component and all about style. Not at all because it's the most logical place to PUT that button /sarcasm. Now please tell me how exactly is this radically different than Samsung's approach? By Appletard logic, Asus ripped off Apple as well.

If that is proven in a court of law, then yes, yes they did. If you're going to try to take what I said to an extreme and show that it reaches an absurd conclusion - at least make the conclusion absurd.

If it is not proven in a court of law, then the court must be able to see the differences and why one is a copy and one isn't.

quote: Again these tablet designs are a result of components and function, not styling. People don't make thick round form factors for tablets because there's no REASON to.

Again, ranting on about thickness - a factor which is completely irrelevant to anything I've ever said, and nothing to do with why the Galaxy was banned (proven by the redesigned tablet which was no thicker). The visual design of the tablet is what Samsung copied. Just because they didn't ALSO copy the internal components, doesn't mean they didn't copy the design. Learn that both are different, and both can be independently protected.

Do I really have to explain why everyone uses neutral colors generally because they are safer? Do you see people making yellow, red, and blue colored TV's or kitchen appliances?

If I don't like red, yellow, or blue then I'm probably not going to buy your shit. So you are going to have to make ALL colors to satisfy everyone's tastes. Which, wait for it, increases manufacturing costs!